Crystal Lake homeowner said he adopted the alligator and raised it as a pet

Receive the latest local updates in your inbox

A 10-foot alligator was among the animals police found Wednesday night in a Crystal Lake man's basement.

Updated at 12:48 PM CDT on Friday, Oct 21, 2011

When Crystal Lake police went to 35-year-old Anthony Bonfiglio's home Wednesday evening, they weren't sure what they would find. They were acting on a tip.

They were met by a 10-foot alligator, a 9-foot python and a 5-foot-long caiman (a reptile similar to an alligator) in the basement. They also found snakes and other small creatures in the home on the 400 block of Linn Street in the northwest suburb.

Alligator, Python Found in Man's Basement

"It was not unlike what you would find in a zoo," Deputy Chief Eugene Lowery told the Daily Herald.

Lowery said a well-built pool allowed the gator access to water, and there was an for it to sun itself under a heat lamp. He said all the animals were in good health.

Even so, the Illinois Department of Natural Resources and animal control cited Bonfiglio, who told police he adopted the alligator and caiman and raised them as pets.

Animal Control seized the alligator, caiman and python, but the agency let Bonfiglio keep the other animals.